This biography of John Buchan is drawn on private papers which fully portray his life and interests, and provide a comprehensive view of British political, social and literary circles during the first half of the 20th century. Particularly noted for his classic thriller, The Thirty Nine Steps, John Buchan wrote over 100 books, including a series of shockers as he called them, featuring the characters Richard Hannay, Sandy Arbuthnot and Edward Leithen, children's books and tales of the supernatural. He also wrote biographies, including lives of Montrose and Sir Walter Scott, and was the author of a history of the Great War. Buchan had a distinguished career in public life. He was a member of Milner's famous Kindergarten of young men in South Africa and later worked for the Spectator. He worked in publishing at Nelson's and then ran the Ministry of Information during World War I. After eight years as a Conservative MP, he ended his career as Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor-General of Canada. Although he led an active public life, Buchan was at heart a countryman and fisherman, and believed deeply in the redemptive powers of the wild.